Hama Sushi was one of the first sushi restaurants on the Westside
Hama Sushi, a beloved institution in the Venice Beach community, is preparing to celebrate its 45th anniversary with a street party in November, Venice Paparazzi announced in a post.
Established in 1979 at the intersection of Windward and Main Streets, Hama Sushi was one of the first sushi restaurants on the Westside. It is known for its unique ambiance, friendly service and traditional Japanese cuisine.
The anniversary celebration promises to be a grand event, following in the footsteps of Hama’s 40th anniversary celebration in 2019. That event, which attracted Venetians and visitors alike, included a road closure on Windward Avenue from the roundabout to Riviera, transforming the area into a festive venue. The celebration included live music, vendors, a vintage car show, an exhibition by the Venice Vintage Motorcycle Club and a children’s painting station by the Venice Art Crawl. Guests also enjoyed Japanese calligraphy demonstrations, a red carpet arrival and a photo booth by the Venice Paparazzi.
Esther Chaing, affectionately known as “Hama Mama,” will once again be the center of attention for the celebrations, along with her husband and artist John. At the 40th anniversary event, Esther was honored with awards from local officials such as Mike Bonin, Ted Lieu, Sheila Kuehl and the Venice Chamber of Commerce. A highlight of the event was the lighting of the iconic Venice sign in Hama’s signature pink, red and white following a countdown led by the crowd.
